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WAR PICTORIAL NEWS NO 62 [Main Title]

Summary: An edition of the British official newsreel "War Pictorial News", produced by the Ministry of Information, Middle East.

Description: I. 'WELL DONE.' Panoramic views of Royal Navy vessels at anchor in the waters of a port described by the commentary as being on the secret list (Durban ?). Views of HMS Ramillies (Royal Sovereign Class battleship) lying at anchor with the L Class destroyer HMS Lookout (G.32) moored nearby. HMS Illustrious has Fleet Air Arm (FAA) Fairey Swordfish aircraft parked on its flight deck as the commentary points out that this fleet of warships and transports are detailed for "offensive" action against the island of Madagascar (under Vichy French control). Views of the convoy at sea at the start of "Operation Ironclad" as the commentary outlines the strategic importance of Madagascar and the threat to communication lines that any Japanese invasion would create. A map of Madagascar is displayed showing the proximity of the island to the South African coastline. Landing craft (LCA's) take Royal Marine Commandos to a landing in Courrier Bay. A morse light is seen flashing from the steep hillside near Courrier Bay, presumably from an advance reconnaissance party. LCA's carry Royal marine assault parties ashore at dawn. A FAA Fairey Fulmar II aircraft takes off from HMS Indomitable as the commentary states that the "great naval base" of Diego Suarez is the objective of the mission. Royal Navy L Class destroyers fire their 4.7-in guns at the Vichy-French observation post dubbed "Windsor Castle" by the British. The British naval task force fires a barrage at night. Following the Vichy-French capitulation, units of the Royal Navy task force steam into Diego Suarez Bay in line astern, with P Class destroyer HMS Paladin (G 69) bringing up the rear. Following the conclusion of Operation Ironclad, Admiral E N Syfret talks to Major-General R G Sturgess on the deck of the flagship HMS Ramillies. Admiral Syfret inspects a British guard of honour before attending the surrender conference in Antsirane attended by representatives of the French-Vichy forces. A Royal Marine brass band marches through a Madagascan street watched with interest by local civilians. The commentary reiterates the strategic importance of Madagascar and the fact that by getting there first, the Japanese threat to communications has been nullified. Elsewhere, in the Western Desert, the commentary stresses that the supply situation is constantly improving despite long supply lines. the increase in supplies reaching the men at the front is due in no small part to the RAF "protective air umbrella." 3-ton 4X4 GS Bedford QLD trucks transport supplies along a desert road. A 30-ton Diamond T/S+D 6x4 tank transporter and a 20-ton Albion CX24S tank transporter carry M3 General Grant medium tanks along a dusty road. The commentary highlights that British tank losses are being rapidly replaced and that tanks such as the General Grant form the spearhead for offensive action. M3 General Grant tanks fire and manoeuvre in desert terrain supported by dug in Ordnance QF 25-pounder howitzers. The commentary highlights the efforts of the British, South African and American air forces in securing effective air/ground communication and cooperation. RAF Douglas Boston bombers drop bombs on an unseen target. RAF Martin Baltimore IV bombers fly in formation, followed by air to ground footage of bombs dropping and impacting on the desert floor. Eight Douglas Boston Bombers (no Squadron codes visible) fly in formation, escorted at a distance by a Curtiss P40 Kittyhawk fighter.